Vol. 506 No. 2
228 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the conditions governing the payment of a subvention for a patient in a private nursing home; if these conditions are applied uniformly across the eight health board areas; the way in which the income of the patient's children can effect the level of subvention; and if he will give an example on the way in which these calculations are made. [14895/99]
The payment of subvention is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, and regulations made under the Act. A person applying for a subvention is assessed on his or her level of dependency and means to determine whether he or she qualifies for a subvention. The dependency of the person is assessed to establish whether the person applying for subvention needs nursing home care and, if so, what level of care is required. There are three maximum levels of subvention payable, £70, £95 and £120, in accordance with three levels of dependency, medium, high, maximum, which are eligible for subvention.
For a person within these levels of dependency, a means test is applied to establish if the person qualifies for a subvention payment. The assessment of means takes into account the income of the person and the value of his or her assets in determining how much the person can contribute towards the cost of nursing care. Based on the assessment of the person's dependency and means, a health board determines whether the person qualifies for a subvention payment. The criteria used by all health boards in establishing whether or not an applicant is eligible for receipt of subvention is set out in regulations made under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, and all boards operate the scheme in accordance with these regulations.
The Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1998, removed the provision which allowed health boards to assess the capacity of adult sons and/or daughters over 21 years of age to contribute towards the cost of nursing homes care of their parent. This change is effective from 1 January 1999. The health boards have been instructed to review the provision of all those in receipt of a reduced rate of subvention by virtue of the capacity of a son and/or daughter towards the cost of nursing home care.
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Maximum Dependency |
£120.00 |
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Assessed Weekly Income |
£112.50 |
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less |
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1/5 of Non-Contributory Old Age pension for personal use |
£14.50 |
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|
__ |
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|
£98.00 |
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Less Non-Contributory Old Age Pension |
£72.50 |
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|
__ |
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Ability to contribute weekly |
£25.50 |
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|
__ |
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Weekly amount of Subvention payable |
£94.50 |
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|
__ |
